Ahiam the son of Sachar the Hararite (verse 35): Ahiam is said to be the son of Sachar here, but in the parallel passage of 2 Sam 23.33 he is said to be “the son of Sharar.” It is very likely that a scribe made an error since the two middle consonants in the names Sachar and “Sharar” are similar in Hebrew. But it is impossible to know which form of the name is correct.

Eliphal the son of Ur (verse 35): The name Eliphal appears as “Eliphelet” in 2 Sam 23.34. Menge reads “Eliphelet” here in 1 Chronicles also. Eliphal is said to be the son of Ur here, but in the parallel in 2 Samuel, he is “the son of Ahasbai of Maacah.” Most likely the name Eliphal is a scribe’s mistake for the name “Eliphelet.” But translators should not attempt to harmonize in this case.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

He is mindful of his covenant for ever means God always keeps the terms of the covenant he made with his people. For the Hebrew verb here the Masoretic Text has an imperative form in the masculine plural which is a command to the readers to “Remember” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Nouvelle Bible Segond, Braun), that is, “Never forget” (Good News Translation). Revised Standard Version does not follow the Masoretic Text here but rather follows the wording in the parallel verse in the Masoretic Text of Psa 105.8 and in some Septuagint manuscripts of 1 Chronicles and translates the Hebrew verb as a third person masculine singular with God as the subject. New English Bible similarly has “He called to mind.” Either reading fits the context, but most translations follow the Masoretic Text with the imperative verb “Remember.” Here as often in the Old Testament, “to remember” is not simply an activity of the mind; rather, “to remember” implies acting upon what is remembered. For covenant see the comments on 1 Chr 11.3.

Of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations is parallel with of his covenant for ever. For a thousand generations intensifies the poetic effect by being more specific. However, this phrase means “for an unlimited time,” “endlessly,” and it is semantically equivalent to for ever.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Remember his covenant forever;
never, never forget the promises he has made to you.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

This verse ends with a rhetorical question in Hebrew, which Good News Translation turns into a statement (also Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). Moffatt keeps the rhetorical question, but then begins the next verse with the answer “No.”

In all places where I have moved with all Israel: The Hebrew verb used here carries the notion of moving about, of coming and going. Some versions speak of Yahweh “accompanying” the Israelites.

Did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people: The time referred to here is the time before Israel had any kings. The Hebrew word translated judges is better understood in the broader sense of “leaders.” The verb shepherd is used here metaphorically to refer to leadership also. Contemporary English Version keeps this image by changing it to a simile, translating the whole verse as “I chose special leaders and told them to be like shepherds for my people Israel. But did I ever say anything to even one of them about building a cedar temple for me?” Good News Translation lacks the nuance of shepherding the people. However, if the metaphor of shepherd cannot be kept, it may be rendered nonfiguratively by saying “rule” (Moffatt), “govern” (Bible en français courant), or “care for” ( NET Bible).

Why have you not built me a house of cedar?: This is a real question within the rhetorical question, so it is an embedded quotation. It may be more natural to change these questions to a statement in some languages where embedded quotations are not considered acceptable (so Good News Translation). For a house of cedar, see the comments on 1 Chr 17.1.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

And he put garrisons in Edom: In the parallel passage of 2 Sam 8.14 the subject of this clause is clearly David. However, here the subject is Abishai, which International Children’s Bible makes explicit. For garrisons see the comments on 1 Chr 18.6.

And all the Edomites became David’s servants: As in 1 Chr 18.6, the Hebrew word translated servants really means “subjects” in this context.

And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went: See the comments on 1 Chr 18.6.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

For David said: For renders the common Hebrew conjunction, which introduces the reason why David provided the great quantities of iron, bronze, and cedar logs. The Hebrew does not indicate to whom David was speaking. In some contexts the Hebrew verb here may also be understood to mean “to say to oneself” or “to think.” Several versions take it in that sense (so Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Bible en français courant, La Bible du Semeur, La Bible Pléiade, El libro del Pueblo de Dios, Nueva Versión Internacional, Osty-Trinquet), although it is possible that the Hebrew states what David said to various people on different occasions.

Solomon my son is young and inexperienced: Inexperienced translates a Hebrew word whose basic meaning is “soft” or “tender” (see, for example, Ezek 17.22, where this adjective is used of a sprout from a cedar tree). Depending on the context, this adjective may mean “tender,” “weak,” “timid,” or “inexperienced.” In this context the sense does not seem to be that Solomon was physically weak (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) or emotionally “immature” (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Braun), but rather that he lacked experience in life. New Century Version says “He hasn’t yet learned what he needs to know.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh takes the Hebrew words translated young and inexperienced together as meaning “an untried youth.” The same expression is used of Solomon in 1 Chr 29.1. The Old Testament nowhere tells us how old Solomon was when he became king. In 2 Chr 13.7 Rehoboam, who was about forty years old, is described in similar terms.

And the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands: The house that is to be built is literally “the house to build.” The Hebrew has no explicit subject for the infinitive, so many translations use the passive. This passive expression will have to be made active in some languages; for example, it may be rendered “the house that we want to build” or “the house that Solomon will build.” Must be exceedingly magnificent is literally “to make great exceedingly.” Revised Standard Version supplies words must be, which the context requires. An alternative addition is “will be.” Exceedingly magnificent may be rendered “greater than anything” or “very splendid.” Of fame and glory throughout all lands may be translated “renowned and celebrated in every land” (Revised English Bible) and “the most famous and splendid in any country” (New Jerusalem Bible). All lands refers to all other nations. The relationship between the magnificence of the proposed Temple and its fame and glory should be made clear in translation. It is the magnificence that will result in its fame. This is done in New American Bible, which says “must be made so magnificent that it will be renowned and glorious in all countries.” Another way of showing this relationship is “will be famous everywhere for its greatness and beauty” (New Century Version).

I will therefore make preparation for it: Since the Hebrew pronoun translated it may refer either to the Temple or to Solomon, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “I will therefore make preparation for him” (similarly Bible en français courant alternative translation), and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “let me then lay aside material for him.” Whether the pronoun refers to the Temple or Solomon, the meaning of this clause is that David will make preparations for building the Temple by gathering together the needed material.

So David provided materials in great quantity before his death: So translates the common Hebrew conjunction. Here it provides a logical connection with what David has just said or thought. Provided materials in great quantity is literally “provided in abundance.” Revised Standard Version has added the object materials as the context requires. Instead of the verb provided, it may be more fitting in some languages to say “stored up.” For this whole sentence New Jerusalem Bible has “And so, before he died, David made ample preparations.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The sons of Uzziel …: Uzziel was Kohath’s fourth son (verse 12), as Good News Translation makes explicit, again helping to tie the passage together. Instead of saying “fourth son,” Contemporary English Version uses a more natural style in English with “youngest son.”

Micah the chief and Isshiah the second: According to Exo 6.22, the sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. Micah and Isshiah were probably descendants of Uzziel rather than sons. Braun expresses the sense of this whole verse as “The sons of Uzziel had Micah as chief and Isshiah second.” If this meaning is accepted, then the word sons should be translated “descendants.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .